Reviews

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery

megsreads84's review against another edition

slow-paced

cc24680's review against another edition

informative lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

3.5

pancino's review against another edition

informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

Started interesting but then focused too much on the author

kweber1989's review against another edition

informative fast-paced

3.5

I loved what I learned about octopuses, but overall was underwhelmed with the writing. 

mpapomeroy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

kellseylovesyou's review against another edition

I wanted to read about the consciousness of an octopus but rather it details the authors experience of them.. 

jennie3466's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

2.0

gaugebromine's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

I wish they lived longer 

kaminskygirl's review against another edition

4.0

4.5/5

tfischbach's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

3.75

Montgomery has written a touching story interweaving science, philosophy, and cross species relationships. I particularly enjoyed how she wove in quotes and ideas from ancient philosophers and naturalists. As a wildlife biologist, I struggled with how Montgomery would jump straight from how she thought the octopus might be feeling to then stating that her idea must be true. We don't know octopuses and we can't know them. That's part of the wonder. In this book, Montgomery seems to want to make them as human-like as possible, so we can come away with some true knowing. I would have preferred to have been left in a state of unknowing awe, but overall I greatly appreciated the story. I will be thinking about this for a long time. 

Questions I have for other readers are
1. How do you define consciousness? 
2. Did this book change how you define it?
3. Do you think non-humans can have souls?
4. Is having a soul and consciousness the same, related, or not connected? Why?